What are the responsibilities and job description for the Buyer II position at Westlake?
Summary
Organizes and monitors purchasing records distribution, recording, and files retention, and actively performs purchasing activities. Cultivates new and long-standing vendor relationships to attain the mutual professionalism required to assure timely deliveries. Perform the primary thinking encompassed by this job description. Comply with all Company policies and procedures. Fully support Company goals of continuous improvement and operational excellence at strategic and tactical levels.
Duties And Responsibilities
May include, but are not limited to, the following:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate as normally based in an office. Some of the work may be required in the operating units which can require usage of required PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, etc. May also result in exposure to outside elements and may require usage of stairs and elevators. Travel including air travel or auto travel may occasionally be required.
Westlake offers you the potential to enrich your work life and career experience in an entrepreneurial environment. We work together to enhance peoples lives through our products and presence in the communities in which we operate.
Westlake is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable legislation.
Organizes and monitors purchasing records distribution, recording, and files retention, and actively performs purchasing activities. Cultivates new and long-standing vendor relationships to attain the mutual professionalism required to assure timely deliveries. Perform the primary thinking encompassed by this job description. Comply with all Company policies and procedures. Fully support Company goals of continuous improvement and operational excellence at strategic and tactical levels.
Duties And Responsibilities
May include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Manages the flow, recording, and processing of purchasing documents. Controls and manages the purchasing activity with external suppliers. Negotiates purchases to the most economical advantage to the Company.
- Leverage yearly purchases to achieve lowest total cost for the purchase of goods through the identification of repeatable purchases, potential supply base and an appropriate sourcing strategy.
- Prepares, submits for quotes, and purchases requisitioned materials and equipment following evaluation.
- Prepares bid comparisons based on evaluation derived from vendor's bids.
- Expedites orders that are critical to the operation of the Plants and those orders that are behind schedule.
- Prepares and maintains preferred vendor database based on previous cost, quality of service, reliability and types of goods and materials.
- Assists and researches logistical information in specific areas relating to all Plant departments.
- Assists Accounting in resolving purchase/billing discrepancies; warehouse stores and other departments in expediting, scheduling, contracts, and specifications.
- Assures that purchases have the proper D.O.A. approval levels applied and that the purchasing department complies with external guidelines, such as SOX and Frank-Dodd.
- Contacts vendors to obtain quotes, delivery schedules, and terms of payment. When appropriate, negotiates discounts, delivery schedules and terms.
- Recognizes market trends and capitalizes on advantageous buying situations.
- Develops thorough knowledge of the Company’s ERP tools.
- Other duties as assigned.
- B.S. / B.A. in Business related or Engineering field with a minimum of five years of purchasing experience.
- Effective communication skills, strong business background involving realistic expectations and cost controls.
- Strongly recommended: Individuals should demonstrate practical proficiency in applying artificial intelligence tools and techniques—such as data analysis, machine learning concepts, automation, or generative AI—to improve decision-making, efficiency, and business outcomes within their role.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate as normally based in an office. Some of the work may be required in the operating units which can require usage of required PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, etc. May also result in exposure to outside elements and may require usage of stairs and elevators. Travel including air travel or auto travel may occasionally be required.
Westlake offers you the potential to enrich your work life and career experience in an entrepreneurial environment. We work together to enhance peoples lives through our products and presence in the communities in which we operate.
Westlake is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable legislation.